Exercise mat with removable portion

ABSTRACT

An exercise mat that provides cushioning and support to a participant, the mat having a relatively large main body, a substantially triangularly-shaped recess positioned on the underside of the mat, the recess not passing through the upper surface of the mat, and a substantially triangularly-shaped removable insert member retained within the recess.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/276,166, filed Sep. 9, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of supportive or cushioning mats or pads, and in particular relates to exercise mats designed for use during the performance of sit-ups, crunches or similar exercises.

Padded or cushioned mats for exercise are well known and are typically composed of an expanded foam polymer material. The mats provide support and cushioning during exercise sessions. Preferably the mats also provide a readily cleanable surface that is impervious to perspiration.

When performing large numbers of sit-ups, crunches or similar exercises for the abdomen, it is not uncommon for the participant to develop abrasions or bruises in the area of the buttocks and the tailbone due to repetitive contact with the mat. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved exercise mat that addresses this problem by providing a removable insert member having a generally triangular shape, whereby the insert member may be removed during the performance of the abdominal exercises such that the recess in the underside of the mat defines a thinner region that exerts less pressure against the buttocks and tailbone. It is a further object to provide such a device wherein the removable insert member is disposed on the underside of the mat and does not form a portion of the upper surface of the mat, such that upon removal of the insert member a continuous upper surface is presented to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in general an exercise mat that provides cushioning and support to a participant, the mat comprising a relatively large main body, a substantially triangularly-shaped recess preferably positioned on the underside of the mat, and a substantially triangularly-shaped removable insert member retained within the recess. Preferably the mat is composed of a polymer foam material that is impervious to perspiration. The thickness of the recess and the thickness of the insert member are each less than the overall thickness of the mat, such that the recess has a closed top surface, and preferably the recess thickness and insert member thickness are each approximately ⅔ of the thickness of the mat. In this manner a continuous, uninterrupted upper surface is presented to the user, such that no edges or corners are in direct contact with the user, and further such that no crevices or recesses are presented to trap perspiration. The insert member may be attached to the mat by a tether member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, shown with the insert member removed.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional taken along line of FIG. 1, showing the insert member positioned in the mat.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2, showing the mat recess with the insert member removed.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the bottom of the mat showing the insert member and the mat recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in detail with regard for the best mode and preferred embodiment. In general, the invention is an exercise mat providing cushioning and support to a participant, and is structured whereby a portion of the mat is removable on the underside of the mat during the performance of abdominal exercises such as sit-ups or crunches in order to reduce pressure against the buttocks and tailbone, thereby reducing the likelihood of abrasive injury or bruising.

In the embodiment as shown FIGS. 1 and 2, the mat 10 preferably has a generally rectangular shape and comprises an upper surface 11 and a lower surface 12. At least the upper surface 11 preferably is impervious to liquids such as perspiration and water. The upper surface 11 presents a continuous, uninterrupted surface in contact with the user. Preferably the mat 10 is formed of a polymer foam material that is compressible and resilient, and suitable materials are well known in the art for this purpose.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, a substantially triangularly-shaped recess 13 is positioned on the underside of the mat 10. The recess 13 does not pass completely through the mat 10, such that the recess 10 possesses a closed top surface 15. A suitable thickness for the recess 13 is approximately ⅔ the overall thickness of mat 10, although it is to be understood that these dimensions may vary. A substantially triangularly-shaped removable insert member 14 is disposed within the recess 13, the insert member 14 and the recess member being preferably correspondingly shaped and sized such that the insert member 14 is retained within the recess 13 by a friction or compression fit. Alternatively or in addition, retaining means 17 for temporarily securing the insert member 14 within the recess 13 may be provided, such as a hook-and-loop fastener, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably the insert member 14 is made from the same material as mat 10. A tether member 16, as shown in FIG. 2, may also be provided such that the insert member 14 remains attached to the mat 10 when removed from the recess 13.

The sides of the insert member 14 and the recess 13 may be linear or non-linear, or a combination thereof, such that for example the insert member 14 and recess 13 may posses a configuration more similar to the shape of a bicycle seat. The dimensions of the insert member 14 and recess 13 may also vary to accommodate participants of different size. Also, the sides of the recess 13 and insert member 14 need not be perpendicular to the mat surfaces 11 and 12.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the characteristics of the mat 10 are altered by removal of the insert member 14. With the insert member positioned in the recess 13 as shown in FIG. 3, the overall thickness of the mat 10 in the area of the recess 13 is unchanged, such that continuous support is provided with the same amount of cushioning. In this manner, a substantially level surface is presented to the user and the overall density of the mat 10 is uniform. Upon removal of the insert member 14, as shown in FIG. 4, the mat 10 now has a much thinner cross-section at this location, such that in the area above the recess 13 there is less support and cushioning, and the area of the mat 10 above the recess 13 is able to sag under pressure. When abdominal exercises are being performed, the participant removes the insert member 14 from the underside of the mat 10. With the buttocks and tailbone positioned above the recess 13, there is now less pressure against the buttocks and tailbone during performance of the exercises, resulting in less irritation, abrasion and bruising.

Recess 13 does not extend completely through the upper surface 11 of mat 10, as this presents a discontinuity in the upper surface 11 through which water and perspiration can pass, thereby making clean-up of the mat 10 more difficult and possibly allowing the liquid to damage the floor surface underneath the mat 10.

The exercise mat 10 may be formed as the combination of an upper layer 21 and a lower layer 22, such that the insert member 14 may first be cut from the lower layer 22. The lower layer 22 and upper layer 21 are then bonded, glued or otherwise joined together in known manner, preferably in a continuous and co-extensive manner. The use of two layers 21 and 22 allows for the use of differing materials, differing thicknesses and/or differing densities for the layers, such that the characteristics of the mat 10 can be altered to produce mats 10 having differing supportive and cushioning properties as desired. Additional layers may also be present in the mat 10, including additional cushioning layers, non-skid layers for the underside of the mat 10, decorative or protective layers on the upper side of the mat 10, etc.

It is understood that equivalents and substitutions to certain elements described in the embodiments above may be obvious to those of skill in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims. 

1. An exercise mat comprising: an upper surface and a lower surface; a recess disposed in said lower surface of said mat; a removable insert member disposed in said recess; wherein said recess does not extend through said upper surface of said mat.
 2. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein said insert member is substantially triangularly shaped.
 3. The exercise mat of claim 2, wherein said insert member has linear sides.
 4. The exercise mat of claim 2, wherein said insert member has non-linear sides.
 5. The exercise mat of claim 1, further comprising retainer means for temporarily securing said insert member within said recess.
 6. The exercise mat of claim 5, wherein said retainer means comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.
 7. The exercise mat of claim 1, further comprising a tether member connecting said insert member to said mat.
 8. The exercise mat of claim 5, further comprising a tether member connecting said insert member to said mat.
 9. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein said mat is comprised of a first layer and a second layer, and wherein said recess is disposed only in said second layer and the top of said recess is defined by the underside of said first layer.
 10. The exercise mat of claim 9, wherein said first layer and said second layer are composed of different materials.
 11. The exercise mat of claim 9, wherein said first layer and said second layer have different densities.
 12. An exercise mat composed of a resilient and compressible material providing cushioning for a user, said mat comprising: an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface being in contact with the user during use; a recess disposed in said lower surface of said mat; a removable insert member disposed in said recess, said insert member composed of a resilient and compressible material providing cushioning for the user; wherein said recess does not extend through said upper surface of said mat.
 13. The exercise mat of claim 12, wherein said insert member is substantially triangularly shaped.
 14. The exercise mat of claim 12, further comprising retainer means for temporarily securing said insert member within said recess.
 15. The exercise mat of claim 1, further comprising a tether member connecting said insert member to said mat.
 16. The exercise mat of claim 12, wherein said mat is comprised of a first layer and a second layer, and wherein said recess is disposed only in said second layer and the top of said recess is defined by the underside of said first layer.
 17. The exercise mat of claim 16, wherein said first layer and said second layer are composed of different materials.
 18. The exercise mat of claim 16, wherein said first layer and said second layer have different densities.
 19. An exercise mat composed of a resilient and compressible foam material providing cushioning for a user, said mat comprising: an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface being in contact with the user during use, said upper surface being impervious to liquids; a substantially triangular recess disposed in said lower surface of said mat, said recess not extending through said upper surface of said mat; a removable, substantially triangular insert member disposed in said recess, said insert member composed of a resilient and compressible foam material providing cushioning for the user; said mat comprised of a first layer and a second layer joined to said first layer, wherein said recess is disposed only in said second layer and the top of said recess is defined by the underside of said first layer.
 20. The exercise mat of claim 19, wherein said first layer and said second layer have different densities. 